e Duke of Stettin-Pomerania_, printed
in _Transactions of the Royal Historical Society_ (1890). The diary
was written by the Duke's tutor, Gerschow, at the express command of
the Duke.]

[Footnote 325: It is hard to believe Mr. Wallace's novel theory that
the Children of the Chapel were subsidized by Elizabeth, as presented
in his otherwise valuable _The Children of the Chapel at Blackfriars_.
Burbage and Heminges knew nothing of such a royal patronage at
Blackfriars (see Fleay, _op. cit._, p. 236), nor did Kirkham, the
Yeoman of the Revels (_ibid._, p. 248). Kirkham and his partners spent
L600 on apparel, etc., according to Kirkham's statement.]

Perhaps the most interesting testimony to the success of the Chapel
Children in their new playhouse is that uttered by Shakespeare in
_Hamlet_ (1601), in which he speaks of the performances by the "little
eyases" as a "late innovation." The success of the "innovation" had
driven Shakespeare and his troupe of grown-up actors to close the
Globe and travel in the country, even though they had _Hamlet_ as an
attraction. The good-natured way in which Shakespeare treats the
situation is worthy of special observation:

_Ham._ What players are they?

_Ros._ Even those you were wont to take delight in, the
tragedians of the city.[326]

_Ham._ How chances it they travel? their residence, both in
reputation and profit, was better both ways.[327]

_Ros._ I think their inhibition comes by means of the late
innovation.

_Ham._ Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was
in the city? are they so followed?

_Ros._ No, indeed, they are not!

_Ham._ How comes it? do they grow rusty?

_Ros._ Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace; but
there is, sir, an aerie of children,[328] little eyases,
that cry out on the top of question, and are most
tyrannically clapped for 't. These are now the fashion, and
so berattle the "common stages"--so they call them--that
many wearing rapiers [i.e., gallants] are afraid of
goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.

_Ham._ What! are they children? who maintains 'em? how are
they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no longer than
they can sing?

[Footnote 326: The Children were acting light comedies such as
_Cynthia's Revels_; the Lord Chamberlain's Men were acting _Hamlet_.]

[Footnote 327: Shakespeare's troupe is known to